When we become a mother, lose weight, or age, our bodies go through many changes. One of the most distressing things for many women is the change in the shape of their breasts, or sagging. Although this is very common, for some it can be a debilitating problem. So if you are also someone who is concerned about this problem, today we are going to talk about a medical procedure that can be a solution to it. That is Mastopexy, or as we all know it, Breast Lift surgery.
What exactly is Mastopexy (Breast Lift)?
Simply put, Mastopexy is a surgery performed by a plastic surgeon to reshape your breasts. This involves removing excess skin that has caused sagging breasts, tightening the surrounding tissue, and lifting the breast and nipple. There is a quick test to see if this is right for you. Place a pen under your breast. If it stays there, and you are uncomfortable about it, this surgery may be a good option for you. Here are some common reasons why you might consider this surgery:
- Your breasts may be sagging more than you think or you may not be happy with their shape.
- Your nipples are located lower than the areola.
- The nipples or the colored area around them (areola) are facing the ground.
- The areola appears to be stretched and enlarged.
- The breasts are not the same (e.g. one sagging more than the other).
Why do breasts sag like this?
As we age, the elasticity of our skin decreases. And the firmness of our
breasts also decreases. This is a very natural thing. There are several reasons for this.
The important thing is that this surgery alone will not make your breasts bigger or smaller. It will only adjust their shape. However, some people also undergo breast augmentation (`Breast Implants`) or breast reduction (`Breast Reduction`) surgeries at the same time as this surgery.
How do you prepare before surgery?
The first step is to see a qualified plastic surgeon for a consultation. There, you should clearly tell the doctor everything that is on your mind and what results you want. This table contains the things that your doctor will discuss and examine with you.
| What the doctor will ask you | Things the doctor does and explains |
|---|
| About your health conditions and family illnesses. | Measuring your breasts and checking the condition of your skin. |
| About the medications, vitamins, and allergies you use. | Taking photos before and after surgery. |
| About previous surgeries, mammograms, or biopsy results. | Talking about anesthesia and its risks. |
| About smoking, alcohol or drug use. | Explaining the expected results of the surgery and the recovery time. |
Questions you should ask your doctor
- What qualifications, training , and experience do you have in this field?
- Will this surgery fulfill my expectations?
- How long does the surgery take?
- How long will it take to heal?
- What are the risks of this?
- What complications should I be especially aware of?
Complications after this surgery are very rare. The main ones are bleeding, infection, and scarring. These risks can be reduced by following instructions such as
avoiding smoking and stopping certain medications that increase bleeding. Also, if you have young children,
you will need to find someone to help take care of them during the recovery period, as it is not recommended to lift heavy objects for 4-6 weeks.
How is the surgery done?
This surgery is usually done in a hospital or other facility with operating room facilities. You will often not have to stay in the hospital and can go home the same day. The surgery, which takes about 2-3 hours, is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon will mark the exact location of your nipple on your breast and then administer anesthesia. Depending on the shape of your breast, the amount of sagging, and your expectations, the incision pattern your doctor uses may vary. Here are some of the main types of incision patterns used.
| Cutting pattern name (shape) | Description and uses |
|---|
| Doughnut | Only the areola is cut. It is suitable for cases where there is less sagging. This is the method with the least scarring. |
| Keyhole / Lollipop | Cut around the areola and down from there to the crease under the breast. Suitable for medium sagging. |
| Anchor | The incision is made around the areola, below, and along the crease under the breast. It is used for very sagging breasts or in conjunction with breast reduction surgery. This method leaves the least amount of scarring. |
After making the incisions, the surgeon removes excess skin, lifts the breast tissue, and reshapes it. The incisions are then closed and a special support bra (surgical support bra) is worn. Sometimes, small tubes (drains) may be placed for 24-48 hours to drain excess blood or fluid.
Recovery time and risks
It is normal to feel some discomfort and pain for a few days after the surgery. The doctor will give you painkillers for this. The breasts may be swollen and bruised for about two weeks. There may be some numbness in the nipples and surrounding skin for about 6 weeks, but this will gradually disappear. The stitches will be removed in about 2-3 weeks. However, it will take several months for the final shape of the breasts to stabilize.
The scars will not completely disappear, but they will fade to a great extent and become almost invisible after a year or two. As with any surgery, there are some risks.
- Scars: These fade over time.
- Changes in sensation: Usually temporary, but very rarely can be permanent.
- Differences in the shape or size of the two breasts: This may be due to different healing rates.
- Loss of the nipple or areola: Very rare, can occur if the blood supply is disrupted.
- Risks of anesthesia include bleeding (`(Hematoma)`), infection, difficulty in healing wounds, and death of fatty tissue (`(Fat Necrosis)`).
The most important thing is to talk everything over with your doctor, ask all the questions you have, and make a decision with a good understanding of the risks and benefits.
Cost and other considerations
Since this is a cosmetic surgery, it is not usually covered by health insurance. In addition to the surgery fee, there may be additional costs for anesthesia, hospital fees, medications, and tests. Therefore, be sure to discuss the total cost with your doctor in advance. A question that many people have is whether they can breastfeed after this surgery.
Yes, you can breastfeed normally after this surgery. Although the results are visible immediately after the surgery, it takes several months to see the final results. These results in the long term depend on maintaining your body weight and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Take-Home Message
- Mastopexy (Breast Lift) is a surgery that lifts and reshapes sagging breasts without changing the size of the breasts.
- This is a completely personal decision. Discuss your hopes and concerns openly with a qualified plastic surgeon before making a decision.
- It takes time to heal after surgery. Although scars are permanent, they will fade to a great extent over time.
- The results are long-lasting, but may change again in the future due to pregnancy or significant changes in body weight.
- Always make a decision after carefully considering the benefits, costs, and possible risks of surgery.
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